Basic Education in the Arts

Basic education in the arts is goal-oriented, progressing from one level to other. It teaches children skills in self-expression and capabilities needed for vocational, polytechnic and university education in their chosen art form. Participation is voluntary and the education providers may charge moderate fees.

Basic education in the arts differs from compulsory basic education. A local authority providing basic education in the arts receives statutory government transfers based on the number of inhabitants. Further, public and private education providers receive government grants based on the confirmed number of lesson hours given.

The network of art education institutes thus funded comprises 89 music institutes and 41 schools in the other arts.

Provision of Basic Education in the Arts

Basic education in the Arts for children and young people is provided by music, art, dance, visual arts and craft schools and other institutes.

  • Municipalities can provide basic education in the arts
  • The Ministry of Education can grant joint municipal authorities, registered societies or associations the permission to provide basic education in the arts
  • Basic education in the arts may also be provided by a public educational institution on the decision of the Ministry of Education
  • Legislation stipulates that basic education in the arts must be provided either by educational institutions or arranged in other ways

Curricula for Basic Education in the Arts

The objectives and core contents are determined in national core curricula devised by the National Board of Education for nine different art forms, which are music, literary arts, dance, performing arts (circus and theatre) and visual arts (architecture, audiovisual art, visual arts, and craft).

Curriculum for the advanced syllabus in basic education in the arts is defined for the following forms of art: music, literary arts, dance, performing arts (circus, theatre), visual arts (architecture, visual arts, and craft).

The Finnish National Board of Education decides on the objectives and core contents of each art form in both basic and advanced syllabi in basic education in the arts. However, the core curriculum may include syllabi of different extent.